NEW DELHI: The Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping), India's maritime regulator, on Thursday prohibited 366 foreign-flagged vessels from engaging Indian seafarers. These ships are accused of abandoning sailors through non-payment of wages, denial of compensation in death or missing cases, subjecting crew members to undue hardships, and lack of assistance in repatriation of Indian seafarers.
Violation of Regulations
DG Shipping stated that these actions constitute a violation of national maritime regulations and international obligations. The regulator cautioned all Recruitment and Placement Service Licence (RPSL) holders against placing seafarers on these vessels.
Classification of Vessels
In a circular issued to RPSL companies and all Indian seafarers, the regulatory body categorized 278 vessels under the "restricted" category and the remaining 88 under the "blacklisted" category. DG Shipping also directed all RPSLs to submit details of Indian seafarers engaged on these vessels within 14 days.
"...in view of the grave violations of seafarer welfare, abandonment practices and non-compliance with international conventions, the 366 vessels are hereby prohibited from engaging Indian seafarers through any RPSL company approved by DG Shipping with immediate effect, unless compliance with the foregoing provisions is duly ensured," the maritime regulator said in its order.
This decisive action underscores India's commitment to protecting the rights and welfare of its seafarers, who are vital to the global maritime industry. The ban will remain in effect until the vessels demonstrate full compliance with national and international standards.
